Extreme sets preseason roster

Published on January 31, 2007 under United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Bloomington Extreme News Release


BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Bloomington Extreme indoor football coach Ted Schmitz will greet 23 returning players from last year's inaugural team when preseason training camp begins March 9 at Illinois State University.

The Extreme also will have a definite Central Illinois flair as 17 of the players either played high school football for Bloomington-Normal teams or at Illinois State, Illinois Wesleyan or the University of Illinois.

"We feel we have a good blend of youth and experience and a number of local and area players," said Schmitz. "We feel good about the fact we were able to attract players with UIF experience.

"They know the rules and can help the younger, less experienced players. We are way ahead of where we were at last year. We have a lot more depth. We should have much better competition for roster spots in training camp."

Leading the list of returnees are quarterbacks Dusty Burk, Tom Kudyba, Brian McCaslin and Kenton Carr, along with wide receivers Dwayne Smith, Glenn Johnson, Patrick Hunter, Marcus Hayden and Reggie Gray.

Schmitz believes he shored up the running game with the signing of former University of Illinois standout Rocky Harvey, who finished third in the United Indoor Football League in rushing last season with 633 yards and 13 touchdowns for Fort Wayne despite missing six games with an ankle injury.

Harvey, who rushed for 1,095 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2005, will be joined in the backfield by returnee James Fuller. The Normal Community High School graduate also could see action on the defensive side of the ball.

Returning offensive linemen include Nick Ruud and center Mike Rudicil, a Bloomington High School product. Jamarkus Gorman, who was one of the top linemen in the UIF a year ago, and Illinois State product Janiah Downing also are expected to make an impact. Gorman played at Fort Wayne the last three seasons.

The Extreme also signed two other players who played Fort Wayne in defensive linemen Evan Triggs and Randall Guzman. They will battle for starting berths with returnees Chris Hummel of NCHS and IWU, Eric Johnson of ISU, Quince Holman and Marty Wilson.

Three other players with UIF experience joining the Extreme this year will be defensive back Terrance Tuner and running back Eric Powell from Peoria, along with receiver James Walton from Evansville.

Returning for action in the defensive backfield will be BHS graduate Dion Brown Dwayne Smith, Brian Colar, Lamar Baker and former ISU player Sam Yeargin. BHS product Preston Glover will try to earn a spot on the team at defensive back after making the preseason roster through tryouts in December.

The linebacking corps will be anchored by returnees Jason Hutton and NCHS product Calvin Jones. Also returning to the team will be former University of Illinois kicker Peter Christofilakos.

Schmitz, who plans to sign three more players before training camp begins, must trim his roster from 45 to 30 before the season-opener Friday, March 30, at 7:30 p.m. against Rockford at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

Season tickets for the upcoming campaign are on sale. Prices for all eight homes games remain the same as last year. Premium seats (rows A and B all around the Coliseum) are $200 each; Club seating (only section 101 is available) are $200 per ticket; sideline seating is $120; end zone $85; and upper end zone $70.

Season ticket-holders can renew tickets, add seats or purchase seats for the first time by calling Patrick Kelly at 309-434-2664.

2006-07 Extreme preseason roster:

Quarterbacks - Dusty Burk, Tom Kudyba, Brian McCaslin, Kenton Carr

Running backs - Rocky Harvey, James Fuller, Eric Powell

Wide receivers - Dwayne Smith, Glenn Johnson, Patrick Hunter, Marcus Hayden, Reggie Gray, Ramon Barber, Shatone Powers, James Walton

Offensive linemen - Mike Rudicil, Nick Ruud, Jamarkus Gorman, Dennis Bailey, Jim Davis, Adam Grubbs, Janiah Downing

Defensive linemen - Chris Hummel, Quince Holman, Eric Johnson, Marty Wilson, Randall Guzman

Linebackers - Jason Hutton, Calvin Jones

Defensive backs - Dwayne Smith, Brian Colar, Lamar Baker, Sam Yeargin, Terrill Mayberry, Mike Crumpler, Preston Glover, Dorin Pitts, Kareem Burnes, Terrance Turner

Kicker - Peter Christofilakos

2007 EXTREME SCHEDULE

March 30 - Rockford

April 7 - At Ohio Valley

April 14 - St. Louis

April 21 - Lexington

April 28 - At Omaha

May 5 - At St. Louis

May 12 - Bye

May 19 - Ohio Valley

May 25 - At Rockford

June 2 - Evansville

June 9 - At Lexington

June 16 - Ohio Valley

June 23 - Fort Collins

June 30 - At Rockford

July 7 - Billings

July 14 - At Evansville

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United Indoor Football Association Stories from January 31, 2007


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